- By Kashish Rai
- Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:36 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Braj Holi 2025: Holi in Braj is a unique and diverse celebration that attracts tourists worldwide. As the land where Lord Krishna grew up, Braj's Holi festivities are extra special, spanning 40 days and featuring various traditions. Each Holi celebration in Braj tells a delightful story of Krishna's pastimes with his devotees. For instance, Laddoo Holi showers visitors with laddoos, while Lathmaar Holi features women chasing away colour throwers. These traditions transport you back to Krishna's magical Holi celebrations, capturing the minds of all.
Explore the 6 different types of Holi celebrated in Braj for a truly immersive experience.
Braj Holi 2025: 6 Different Types Of Holi Celebrations In Vrindavan, Barsana, Mathura And Nandgaon
1. Laddoo Mar Holi
Laddoo Mar Holi is a unique celebration that commemorates the playful pastimes of Lord Krishna. According to local folklore, this tradition began when Krishna visited Barsana to play Holi with Radharani and the gopis. Instead of colours, the gopis surprised Krishna with a shower of laddoos and sweets, which he happily accepted.
This tradition continues to be celebrated with great fervour in Barsana. Devotees gather at the temple, where they shower laddoo prasadam on each other. The event is filled with music, dance, and theatre, recreating the divine pastimes of Krishna and Radharani. The atmosphere is filled with joy, love, and devotion, making Ladoo Mar Holi a truly special celebration.
2. Lathmar Holi
According to legend, Lathmaar Holi began when Lord Krishna and his friends visited Barsana to play Holi with Radharani and the gopis. However, the women chased them away with sticks, starting a playful tradition that continues to this day. In Barsana and Nandgaon, women prepare special sticks and men create shields to protect themselves.
During the celebration, men from Nandgaon visit Barsana to represent Krishna's party while women dressed as gopis playfully hit them with sticks. The event is filled with music, dance and colourful festivities. Some men manage to reach the temple, claiming victory. This unique celebration brings everyone together, immersing them in the eternal pastimes of Radha Rani and Lord Krishna.
In Photo: Pholoon Ki Holi celebrations in Vrindavan by the devotees. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
3. Phoolon Ki Holi
Phoolon ki Holi is a unique flower festival held in Vrindavan and its nearby villages a day before Holi. According to legend, Lord Krishna was annoyed with Radharani and the gopis for smearing colours on him. To appease him, they decorated a tree with flowers and performed his aarti, offering flowers and seeking forgiveness.
This tradition continues to this day, with the Banke Bihari and Radha Raman temples beautifully decorated with flowers. Thousands gather to shower the deities and each other with rose petals, singing Holi songs. The streets are filled with vibrant colours and a divine floral fragrance, commemorating the divine pastimes between Krishna and Radha in the season of spring.
4. Chadi Mar Holi
Chadi Mar Holi in Gokul village commemorates Lord Krishna's childhood adventures with the gopis. Legend has it that Krishna was chased away by gopis with sticks after playing pranks on them. He returned the next day with friends and broke the gopis' sticks, sparking laughter and fun. This event inspired the Chadi Mar Holi celebration.
Today, the tradition continues with excitement in Gokul. A bonfire of thorny sticks symbolises the destruction of evil. Men then raid the gopis' area to break their sticks while the gopis playfully defend themselves with colours. After a joyful battle, the men claim victory and the air is filled with drums and devotional songs, bringing alive Krishna's childhood legends and celebrating his bond with his devotees.
5. Dauji Ka Huranga
Dauji Ka Huranga is a lively festival in Baldev village, commemorating a legend about Lord Krishna. According to the tale, Krishna disguised himself as a woman and playfully stole the clothes of his female friends while they bathed in the Yamuna River. The women retaliated by stealing Krishna's clothes.
This legend is reenacted during the Huranga tradition, where women gather to playfully beat men with cloth whips and tear their clothes. The men defend themselves by throwing colours, creating a chaotic atmosphere filled with laughter and mischief. Participants smear colours on each other while dodging the beatings, making Dauji Ka Huranga a unique and entertaining celebration.
In Photo: Unique Widow Holi celebrations in Vrindavan. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
6. Widow Holi
Widow Holi in Vrindavan is a significant celebration that breaks societal norms and empowers widows. Traditionally, widows in India are expected to lead a life of austerity and renunciation, avoiding festivities like Holi. However, in Vrindavan, widows come together to celebrate Holi, playing with colours, singing and dancing. This celebration is a symbol of their freedom and joy, allowing them to break free from societal expectations.
The celebration is organised by various NGOs and organisations that support the welfare of widows. The event is a beautiful display of colours, music and laughter, as the widows let go of their inhibitions and enjoy themselves. The celebration also aims to raise awareness about the rights and empowerment of widows, promoting a more inclusive and supportive society.
(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information. Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert in the relevant field.)
ALSO READ: Lathmar Holi 2025: Check Dates For Laddu Maar And Lathmar Holi Celebrations In Barsana And Nandgaon
